Lead Lap's NASCAR News » JTG Daugherty Racing

Front Row Motorsports Hires New Crew Chiefs

Michael J Smith — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:16:16 +0000

Front Row Motorsports has hired veteran crew chief Frank Kerr to serve as crew chief for David Gilliland and the No. 38 Sprint Cup Ford Fusion, and Steven Lane to serve as crew chief for Josh Wise and the No. 26 team.

Kerr joined the team after serving as crew chief for JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 team and drivers Bobby Labonte and Marcos Ambrose. Kerr also served as crew chief for Xxxtreme Motorsports’ No. 44 car, driven by David Reutimann at the end of last season.

Kerr and Gilliland worked together in the Nationwide Series in 2005.

Kerr said:

I’m looking forward to working with this young team. As an organization they’ve only been on track for a few short years, but there’s a lot of experience in the shop, in the leadership and behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to helping them continue to grow.

Lane joins FRR after stints at Petty Enterprises — now Richard Petty Motorsports — and Chip Ganassi Racing, which merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc to become Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Lane is returning to FRR, as he led the team’s first campaign in the Cup series in 2009, serving as crew chief for John Andretti. He also served as crew chief for Travis Kvapil in 2010, when he drove the No. 34 FRR machine.

Lane said:

This will definitely feel like a homecoming of sorts, back with Front Row and back with Ford. It was a great experience to help get Front Row’s first full-time Cup team off the ground back in 2009, and this will be a similar experience working with Josh as he expands his role with the team.

And, Jay Guy will return as crew chief for David Ragan and the No. 34 team.

Derrick Finley, who was crew chief for Gilliland since last October, will return to his role as competition director.

Labonte To Return To JTG’s No. 47 In 2013

Michael J Smith — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:19:37 +0000

Bobby Labonte will return to the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota in 2013, the team announced. Labonte is looking to make a fresh start in 2013. He finished 15th in the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix and looks to end the season on a high note. He said:

We are continuing to make strides. We’ve come a long way. We have some momentum on our side going into Homestead and the off season. We hope to close out the year and give Clorox and all of our partners a strong finish.

Tryson Has Joined BK Racing

Michael J Smith — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:02:43 +0000

Pat Tryson has joined BK Racing, though in what capacity has yet to be revealed. BK Racing purchased the assets of Red Bull Racing, and fields cars for Landon Cassill and Travis Kvapil.

Tryson stepped down from his position with Michael Waltrip Racing. Since then, he has served as a consultant for JTG Daugherty Racing. He was recently granted his release from that contract so he could join BKR immediately.

Tryson said:

I’m not exactly sure what the plan is yet. We’ll see as we go along. I’ve been asked to look around, assess the situation and see where I think they can use some help. Once I do that, I’ll know more.

BKR owner Ron Devine added:

Pat is obviously crew chief capable, but he’s also competition director capable. We’ll see where he feels he can be of the most use.

Reutimann Headed To JTG Daugherty Racing In 2013?

Michael J Smith — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:00:14 +0000

Jayski is reporting that David Reutimann has met with officials from JTG Daughtery Racing about a possible ride for 2013.

Reutimann spent the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season driving for Tommy Baldwin Racing in the No. 10 that he shares with Stewart Haas Racing and Danica Patrick. He also drove for BK Racing in the team’s No. 93 Toyota Camry in two races, and one race in the No. 51 for Phoenix Racing, filling in for the suspended Kurt Busch in the Pocono 400.

Reutimann could drive a second car for JTG in 2013, if sponsorship can be found. Or, he may replace Bobby Labonte in the No. 47. No word has been given.

JTG Announces Organizational Changes To No. 47 Team

Michael J Smith — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:52:55 +0000

JTG Daugherty Racing announced organizational changes to the team and its No. 47 Sprint Cup Series Toyota Camry. Bobby Hutchens joins the team as general manager, and David Hyder will assume crew chief duties of the No. 47 for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, replacing Todd Berrier, who left the team to join Furniture Row Racing as crew chief of the No. 78 and Regan Smith.

JTG has a candidate in mind to replace Berrier long term, but couldn’t get a deal done in time.

Furniture Row Racing Makes Crew Chief Change For No. 78

Michael J Smith — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:04:08 +0000

Furniture Row Racing announced that veteran crew chief Todd Berrier has joined the team to serve as crew chief for the No. 78 team and driver Regan Smith. Berrier replaces Pete Rondeau, and will take over crew chief duties effective immediately, sitting atop the pitbox for this weekend’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Berrier left JTG Daugherty Racing to join FRR.

Berrier said:

Furniture Row Racing has a reputation in the Sprint Cup garage for its commitment and potential. I welcome this opportunity and can’t wait to begin my new position at Indianapolis this weekend.

Three Cup Teams Penalized For Dega Infractions

Michael J Smith — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:27:15 +0000

NASCAR announced that it has penalized three Sprint Cup Series teams for infractions found during opening day inspection at Talladega Superspeedway. Michael Waltrip Racing’s Nos. 00 and 56 were penalized. JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47, a MWR-affiliated team, was also penalized.

All three cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-3.2.1A (unapproved modification to an approved windshield) of the 2011 NASCAR rule book.

Crew chiefs Rodney Childers (No. 00), Frank Kerr (No. 47) and Chad Johnston (No. 56) were each fined $50,000 and suspended for the next four Sprint Cup events. They were also suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 23rd.

Car chiefs Steve Channing (No. 00), Raymond Fox (No. 47) and Anthony Lunders (No. 56) also received the same suspensions. And, MWR director of competition, Bobby Kennedy, has been placed on probation until the end of the calendar year.

The car owners, Rob Kauffman (No. 00), Tad Geschickter (No. 47), and Michael Waltrip (No. 56), have each been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner points. Drivers David Reutimann (No. 00), Bobby Labonte (No. 47), and Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56) have each been penalized with the loss of 25 championship driver points.

JTG Daugherty owner Brad Daugherty said:

We are very disappointed in this entire situation and we will not appeal NASCAR’s ruling. We look forward to racing at Martinsville Speedway this weekend and getting ready for next season.

Team chief race engineer Brian Burns will assume the role as crew chief for the No. 47 Toyota Camry replacing Kerr and Bob Bechstein has been named car chief replacing Fox following the penalties.

MWR also commented on the penalties:

Michael Waltrip Racing is ultra-sensitive and very serious about working within the guidelines of NASCAR policy. We do not condone this type of activity and as such we will take appropriate internal corrective action immediately. We thank NASCAR for providing a fair and equitable platform for all of its competitors and respect its decisions; therefore, we will not appeal.

Pat Tryson will take over for Johnston as crew chief for the no. 56 team. Tryson was recently replaced on that team earlier this year.

Allen Mincey, race mechanic of the No. 56, will serve as interim car chief for that team in place of Lunders. Bobby Kennedy will serve as interim crew chief in place of Childers on the No. 00. Chris Hall, race mechanic with the No. 00 , will serve as interim car chief for that team in place of Channing.

Report: JTG Daugherty, MWR Likely To Maintain Alliance

Michael J Smith — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:52:45 +0000

JTG Daughtery Racing co owner Tad Geschickter told Sirius XM Radio’s Dave Moody that the No. 47 Sprint Cup team will likely maintain its current alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota in 2012, despite published reports that JTG and MWR would end their alliance to accommodate MWR’s third team for Clint Bowyer, which is expected to be announced at Kansas Speedway.

Geschickter said:

We are looking at a number of different options that will enable us to continue to share notes and technical support with Michael Waltrip. [This partnership] has definitely helped us be a better team. As it looks today, we are going to assert some independence. But we continue to work every week with Michael to figure out what (the relationship) is going to look like.

Geschickter did confirm that the No. 47 would move from the MWR shop to its own shop in Harrisburg, NC. The team is currently working on a deal to remain with Toyota in 2012.

The team plans to make an announcement regarding its driver lineup and manufacturer soon. Geschickter expects Bobby Labonte to be back. He said:

Bobby and I shook hands, which is all we’ve ever needed to do. Short of signing a contract, we’re feeling pretty good about getting that done.

Geschickter also indicated that in 2013, the team would like to expand to a multi-car operation.

Michael Waltrip Racing To End Alliance With JTG Daugherty Racing

Michael J Smith — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:53:35 +0000

With the speculation that Clint Bowyer is headed to Michael Waltrip Racing with 5-Hour Energy, it is being reported that MWR will end its technical alliance with JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 team and driver Bobby Labonte. MWR provides cars and engines for JTG, and the No. 47 is housed in the team’s shop. With the ending of that alliance, MWR could make way for a third team for Bowyer.

JTG owner Brad Daugherty wants to keep his team on track next season, and is currently considering an alliance with Richard Petty Motorsports. RPM had talks with Clint Bowyer about joining the team in a third car. Later, RPM withdrew, stating that they were happy with the performance of the two-car operation.

Team owner Andrew Murstein said:

We are no longer in discussions with [Bowyer]. We just feel that RPM is in a great place today, especially how far we have come since last year. Both Marcos (Ambrose) and AJ (Allmendinger) are not only having career years, but they are both moving in the right directions and improving. … Clint is a great driver and we wish him the best wherever he ends up. For now, we will continue to focus on our two teams and continuing to make great strides as we return the King and his unmatched tradition and legion of loyal fans back into Victory Lane.

They were close to adding a third team, which could mean that a technical alliance with JTG is not out of the question. But, considering they recently indicated they were happy with the performance of their two cars, they may not want to expand.

An alliance with RPM would also mean a switch a manufacturer for JTG. RPM fields Fords, so the team would need to field Fords as well.

Berrier Headed To Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing?

Michael J Smith — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:44:25 +0000

MikeMulhern.Net is reporting that former crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Sprint Cup team Todd Berrier may be headed to a Toyota team, most likely Michael Waltrip Racing, or an MWR-affiliated team, which includes JTG Daugherty Racing and Pastrana Waltrip Racing.

MWR also has a technial alliance with Germain Racing, but there has been no word on whether that may be a potential destination for Berrier.

At this point, this is a rumor as nothing has been confirmed.